The Universal Society of Hinduism has condemned Marvel Comics and called for them to apologize following their latest X-Men comic, Uncanny X-Men #5.

In Uncanny X-Men #5, X-Man believing himself to be a god of sorts takes the advice of long-time X-Men villain Apocalypse who tells him, “You fancy yourself a god of sorts. As do I. Yet you let false prophets lead the masses down the paths of their false idols.” Apocalypse continues, “If you want to save Earth, you must cleanse it of its delusions of holiness.”

Upon hearing this advice X-Man decides to disintegrate major religious sites including St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vatican City, the Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, and the Padmanabha Swarmy Hindu Temple in Thiruvanathapuram, India.

When questioned by Kitty Pryde on why he destroyed these three religious sites, X-Man responds, “I cleansed the world of its fake houses of worship and false prophets.”

In a press release from the Universal Society of Hinduism, President Rajan Zed declared the destruction of the Padmanabha Swarmy Hindu Temple was “very hurtful to the Hindu community when a popular platform like Marvel labeled a sacred and highly revered Hindu temple as a fake house of worship.”

The press release would add that Marvel’s inclusion of the destruction of the Padmanabha Swarmy Hindu Temple is “highly inappropriate.” Rajan Zed would urge “Marvel to immediately issue an official apology for hurting the sentiments of Hindu devotees, and publish it prominently on its website.”

Zed and the Universal Society of Hinduism also claims the depiction of the temple’s destruction “created confusion among non-Hindus about Hinduism. Insensitive handling of faith traditions sometimes resulted in pillaging serious spiritual doctrines and revered symbols.”

Rajan Zed made it a point to clarify that “Hindus [are] for artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers.”

The press release would conclude by calling on not just Marvel Comics, but all comic book publishers to be more “sensitive while handling faith related subjects.” The press release indicates that comic books can leave a “lasting impact on the unsuspecting minds of highly impressionable children, teens and other young people.”

What do you make of Rajan Zed and the Universal Society of Hinduism’s claims? Do you think Marvel should apologize? Or do you think he’s making a big deal about nothing as these religious sites will most likely be restored in the future after the X-Men have figured out a way to defeat X-Man?

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